After nearly a decade of production, Jaguar will finally put down the XK, as budgetary resources and the introduction of the F-Type Coupe make the big cat redundant.

Although sales of the XK are up slightly, the big coupe and convertible have been on a general downward trend over the years. According to Automotive News, Jaguar wants to focus their resources on the new XE compact luxury sedan, as well as other projects – most likely the long rumored crossover.

Jaguar was adamant that the F-Type is not replacing the XK, which leaves room for a possible replacement down the road. The XK is a larger, more comfortable grand tourer, while the F-Type is positioned as a sports car. But don’t expect to see a new XK for a long time.

@ thats one fast cat – I just saw a late ’90s XK parked on the street earlier this week and was thinking what an attractive car it is. It’s kind of “E-type meets first-gen Lexus SC.” I prefer its looks, and those of the SC, to anything on the market today. Sadly, the last umpteen SC’s I’ve seen have been rife with dents, scratched paint, aftermarket wheels, spoilers, and gold emblems.

Now that my wife has gotten her new car, the XK is one of several cars that has caught my attention. The depreciation on these cars is epic and your $100K XKR can be had for around $50K around 4 years later with reasonable miles.

But beyond the very pretty face, there are things that just give me pause. This is a relatively big, heavy (4,000 lbs) car and it feels like a big car. The infotainment is the worst I’ve ever seen and looking at it leads me to believe you could not easily replace it with an aftermarket unit. The gas mileage might be good for a supercharged V-8, but it is still terrible (22 on the highway). The rear seats are useless but they do not fold down even though the car it a hatch!

I agree on the age and due retirement. But Jag has always run their models for a long time. The XK in particular was designed at the deepest, lowest point of Jaguar financial issues – and it shows today.

Most people who think the F-Type fills the XK’s role haven’t sat in either – and they tend to call my 6 a ‘sports car’ as well.

Sad to see another big GT pass on, but the XK has always been awkward – if beautiful – company next to the 6 and SL. I’m disappointed to hear there are no plans for immediate replacement, but GT’s are more and more niche vehicles. Too bad, but it means the final year will likely be something special on the off-lease market.

I imagine it would just be too difficult to come up with something that can properly challenge the new SL, which doesn’t bother with stupid, useless rear seats and doesn’t ask you to make the choice between coupe and convertible. The XK has always been better looking, but the SL has always been the better car.

I never could warm up to the look of these, despite the love and adulation they received in the media. They had the misfortune of replacing a car that, as others above have said, will likely be remembered as an absolutely timeless classic and beauty. That being said, the (I hope completely accidental) family resemblance to the Ford Taurus did not help the car’s case. Ian Callum did some amazing things at Aston Martin, but this was not his greatest achievement. That being said, the Le Mans GT cars weren’t bad looking and sounded incredible. It’s a shame they weren’t more successful. Here’s to hoping Jag gives the F type consideration for that role.

At the Detroit auto show, passersby — especially women — literally would stop in their tracks, gawk at the F types, and stumble over like zombies to a fresh corpse. Mind you, these were just two shiny expensive cars on a floor full of them. No pedestals, no lights, no promo girls sewn into their blouses. The appeal is almost primal. I didn’t see that kind of attention being drawn by anything else at the show without barkers and special effects.

Ordinarily I allow for differences in opinion on asthetic matters. But sweet Jesus, man, the F Type is just stupid good looking.

When I looked at both this and the F-Type side by side, I honestly found this to be the better car. They are both great cars, I am not sure it was necessary to kill this car, maybe just update it a little.